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Posted: 05 Feb 2009 @ 00:00

Dean of Birmingham resigns

THE Dean of Birmingham, the Very Revd Bob Wilkes, announced this week that he is to stand down. The Dean made the decision in full consultation with the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart. He plans to use his experience in cross-cultural mission and interfaith relations else­where in the Church. Dean Wilkes, who was installed in March 2006, said that he felt that the needs of the Cathedral had changed since his appoint­ment — for example, in the onset of the credit crunch. “It became clear in prayer, during a silent retreat, that it would help the Cathedral to have the right gifts in the right roles to meet its financial and organisational chal­lenges if I offered to move. I have great confidence in the new team of Canons, who have just the gifts needed for this time.” Bishop Urquhart thanked the Dean for his “passionate commitment and faithful labours”.

Nun mugged near her convent

SISTER LORNA CSMV, a 72-year-old nun of the Community of St Mary the Virgin, Wantage, in Oxfordshire, was mugged just yards from the convent as she walked home. The attacker escaped with just an umbrella and a bus timetable, as Sr Lorna had hidden her purse in her habit. She has been at the community for 37 years, working with drug addicts and homeless people. She said that she bore no ill feeling toward her assailant, and noticed the irony that the mugger was “probably the sort of person I try to help”.

Tearfund survey finds churchgoing up

NEW RESEARCH released by the aid agency Tearfund has suggested that churchgoing in the UK is increasing. Its tracking research, which surveys 7000 adults every six months, found that the number of people attending church had increased from 21 per cent in September 2007 to 26 per cent in September 2008. Figures for monthly attendance had also gone up, from 13 per cent to 15 per cent, while one in four of those surveyed said that he or she went to church at least once a year.

London and Home Counties

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